Milk allergy in children: Symptoms
Photo: What are the symptoms of milk allergy in children (freepik.com)
The allergy to cow's milk is the most common food allergy in infants and young children. Despite the fact that most children eventually outgrow this allergy, it also remains one of the most common food allergies in adults.
Ukrainian pediatrician Dmytro Mushtyn will tell you about the symptoms of this condition.
What causes milk allergy
The doctor explained that food allergy is generally caused by an excessive immune system reaction to a food allergen, in this case, milk. The immune system views cow's milk, including the proteins casein or whey, as harmful invaders.
What are the symptoms
Hives (urticaria)
Difficulty breathing, coughing, wheezing
Itching or tingling sensation around the mouth or lips
Angioedema: swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat
Vomiting
Anaphylaxis
Some symptoms may appear hours or days later, including:
Diarrhea, blood in stool
Constipation
Atopic dermatitis
Vomiting
Abdominal pain
Colic
Poor weight gain
What to do if you have a milk allergy
There is no specific test that can confirm the presence of a cow's milk allergy 100%. Diagnosis primarily relies on analyzing symptoms and conducting an examination.
Primary tests, if used, include skin prick tests and blood IgE analysis. Both tests demonstrate high sensitivity but low specificity and may yield positive results in patients without an allergy.
Treatment for any food allergy involves eliminating the food from the diet, but each case is individual.
Cow's milk protein is found in milk, cheese, butter, etc. In one child, symptoms may only occur after consuming milk, while yogurt, kefir, cottage cheese may be fine. In another, there may be a severe reaction even to pancakes, pancakes, or cheesecakes.
The pediatrician advises seeking consultation with an allergist who will provide recommendations regarding diet, how to deal with various symptoms, and if necessary, will prescribe appropriate tests.
Earlier, we discussed the symptoms that distinguish allergies from a cold.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
